State Library of Queensland's beautiful contemporary design, gallery spaces and striking indoor and outdoor venues are perfect for creating special events and memorable meetings. State Library sets the scene for unique, versatile and state-of-the-art venues that can cater for a vast range of events for up to 300 guests.
With leading-edge audio visual systems, full in-house technical support and an experienced event team onsite, we provide the support to ensure your event is a success and, most importantly, one to remember.
The Queensland Terrace is the epitome of elegance. This versatile function space features exquisite six-metre mirrored ceilings, Chillagoe marble floors and a remarkable collection of vintage tea cups. Taking advantage of Queensland’s climate, the unique open-air design brings the outside in, with views of the city and the surrounding flora while still providing protection against the elements. The Terrace can be styled to suit your personal taste and make your celebration truly memorable.
This architecturally celebrated venue offers a unique and remarkable setting for your event.
Total Floor Area: 318m2 | view floorplan >
Capacity: 300 cocktail | 130 banquet | 150 theatre or wedding ceremony
Function: cocktail receptions, breakfasts, lunches, dinners, presentations, wedding ceremonies, wedding receptions
Suspended over the banks of the Brisbane River, the stunning spotted gum timber decks offer a backdrop of uninterrupted city and river views, and an intimate venue for your event celebrations.
The larger, partially covered deck links to a smaller deck canopied by a sprawling poinciana tree, offering a magical space to celebrate any occasion.
Total Floor Area: main deck 76m2; boardwalk and small deck 91m2 | view floorplan >
Capacity: 80 cocktail | 50 banquet | 60 wedding ceremony Capacity can be extended by utilising the entire deck space.
Function: cocktail parties, dinners, wedding ceremonies, wedding receptions
This special outdoor space offers a backdrop of panoramic city and river views, giving your event that ‘wow’ factor that guests will be sure to enjoy. The evening scene is particularly stunning as you watch Brisbane transform from day to night, with the city lights on full display and views to both the Kurilpa and Victoria bridges.
Total Floor Area: 110m2 | view floorplan >
Capacity: 100 cocktail | 50 banquet | 60 wedding ceremony
The captivating Red Box is a particularly unique venue. The space is encased in floor-to-ceiling windows, giving the impression of being suspended over the Brisbane River. Providing an absolutely stunning location set against the dramatic city skyline at night, the Red Box is a hidden treasure and the perfect space for intimate, high-impact events.
Tiered wooden seating leads down to the Red Box, ideal for guest seating at your ceremony, presentation or performance.
Total Floor Area: 50m2 | view floorplan >
Capacity: 60 cocktail | 48 banquet | 40 wedding ceremony or performance
Function: cocktail parties, breakfasts, dinners, wedding ceremonies, wedding receptions, small live performances
Nestled amongst State Library’s collections, the Poinciana Lounge is an elegant space for your cocktail reception, dinner or wedding reception with outstanding views of the Brisbane River and city skyline. Featuring soaring ceilings, windows spanning two floors, and a grand piano, the Poinciana Lounge offers a timeless venue for your celebration.
This venue is only available for bookings outside of library hours.
Total Floor Area: 137m2 | view floorplan >
Capacity: 150 cocktail |100 banquet
Function: cocktail receptions, dinners, wedding receptions
The John Oxley Library Reading Room contains unique Queensland resources and collections along with our Business Leaders Hall of Fame. Commanding views across the Brisbane River to the city, this lovely space is furnished with Tasmanian oak tables, reading lamps and an elegant lounge, and the reading room provides a stunning and traditional library atmosphere to add that extra level of sophistication to your event.
Capacity: 150 cocktail | 120 banquet | view floorplan >
Function: cocktail receptions, dinners
The heart of the State Library, the Knowledge Walk is our 5-story atrium showcasing the award‑winning architectural design of the building, including the floating balcony.
Using the design of the space with creative lighting and projection will bring this very special venue to life for your event.
Total Floor Area: 604m2 | view floorplan >
Capacity: 350 cocktail | 250 banquet
Function: cocktail receptions, dinners, award events
Nestled between the State Library and the Gallery of Modern Art, Maiwar Green is a delightful lawned area overlooking the Brisbane River and the city. The lower section of this space has an undulating amphitheatre down to the river, which provides a stunning performance and presentation space. The upper section is a level grassed area that allows your event to harmonise with the natural beauty of the venue.
Capacity: 500 cocktail | 350 banquet | view floorplan >
Function: corporate cocktail receptions and dinners, movie screenings, picnics and special events * Please note that Maiwar Green events are subject to application approval and that the venue is not available for wedding hire.
The River Plaza is our Edge rooftop space between State Library and the Queensland Art Gallery forecourt. This area has spectacular views of the Brisbane River and city and features the Anthony Pryor sculpture Approaching Equilibrium, which is sure to wow your guests. This space is perfect for your next outdoor presentation or special event.
* Please note that River Plaza events are subject to application approval and that the venue is not available for wedding hire.
Total Floor Area: 357m2 | view floorplan >
Capacity: 300 cocktail | 200 banquet | 200 theatre
Function: cocktail receptions, dinners, open air cinema and special events
The Talking Circle forms part of kuril dhagun, which is State Library's Indigenous Knowledge Centre and with State Library being situated on Kurilpa Point, this space has a significant cultural history. The area consists of a large outdoor zone with foliage, timber deck and sandstone paving complemented by city and river views. The venue also features an oval fire-pit, which can be used for presentations or storytelling.
The Talking Circle does not permit alcohol within the venue.
Area: 100m2 | view floorplan >
Capacity: 100 standing | 40 fire circle
Function: events, presentations, storytelling and other special events
Extending along the length of The Edge building, with floor-to-ceiling windows, The River Lounge and Foyer is ideal for your next networking function or launch event.
This unique option can only be booked outside of opening hours or in conjunction with another venue hire; for example, as a registration area for a function in the Edge Auditorium. Please ask about how this space could work for your next event.
Area: 225m2 | view floorplan >
Capacity: 250 cocktail
Functions: cocktail receptions, event catering, trade displays
Auditorium 1 is a state-of-the-art venue perfect for your next presentation, conference, awards or screening.
Comfortable leather chairs are tiered through the auditorium, seating 264. Inbuilt projection, stage and sound systems give a professional polish to your event, while the foyer area provides flexible facilities for registrations and pre-function arrivals.
The adjoining Queensland Terrace offers the perfect catering or exhibition space to complement events held in Auditorium 1.
Capacity: 264 theatre style | view floorplan >
Function: conferences, presentations, performances, film screenings
Auditorium 2 offers an intimate theatre-style space for your next event. Boasting traditional wood panelling, tiered seating and a parquetry wood stage area, this venue is ideal for smaller or more intimate performances, presentations and meetings.
The design of the space facilitates greater interaction as part of your event, having a ‘small cinema’ feel and full audio visual equipment in place. Auditorium 2 particularly suits ‘in conversation’ and forum-style events.
Capacity: 108 theatre style | view floorplan >
The largest of State Library’s auditoriums, this level, timber-floored venue is multifunctional with an open-plan design, high ceilings and the ability to have natural light and river views within the space if desired. Technical equipment, including lighting, sound, a large projector and screen are a permanent feature of this space, making it easy and time-efficient to use.
The Edge Auditorium is perfectly suited for formal dinners, multimedia performances, music, film screenings, conferences, presentations, exhibitions, product launches, small concerts, theatre performances or simply entertaining.
A variety of seating configurations are available, from full theatre mode, cabaret style and banquet dining to cocktail style with dry bars. The Auditorium is complemented by a small greenroom, complete with male and female dressing room facilities.
Area: 300m2 | view floorplan >
Capacity: 250 cocktail | 160 banquet | 300 theatre|128 Cabaret
Function: conferences, presentations, screenings, performances, trade shows, cocktail receptions, dinners
The slq Boardroom, one of the best in the cultural centre, has a large custom-built timber table, an abundance of natural light and an adjoining large timber deck with spectacular views over the city skyline and Brisbane River. Within the space is an additional observers’ or workshop area, making the slq Boardroom one of the most versatile and sought-after spaces of its kind in Brisbane.
Capacity: 26 boardroom or banquet (plus observers) | view floorplan >
Function: meetings, presentations, workshops, board breakfasts, lunches, dinners
The Heritage Collections Learning Room offers a light and versatile space for workshops, meetings, business breakfasts and seminars. A picturesque window spans the full length of the room, framing lovely river and precinct views and providing wonderful natural light to complement the space. This venue is a little oasis of quiet and charm.
Area: 70m2 | view floorplan >
Capacity: 36 workshop | 50 theatre | 25 U-shape | 50 cocktail
Function: workshops, meetings, presentations, breakfasts, lunches, dinners
This versatile meeting space has a flexible configuration and is perfect for those smaller events. The room has natural light and is easily accessible, located on the ground floor and accessed via the Knowledge Walk atrium area.
Area: 37m2 | view floorplan >
Capacity: 16 workshop |14 boardroom | 25 theatre
Function: workshops, meetings and presentations
This versatile space is ideal for workshop and presentation style events. The room has natural light and is easily accessible just off our stunning Knowledge Walk atrium area on the ground floor. Guests can easily enjoy their breaks in our courtyard or on the adjoining Maiwar Green.
Area: 74m2 | view floorplan >
Capacity: 45 workshop |28 boardroom | 70 theatre
The Loris Williams Meeting Room is a smaller, purpose-built venue accessed via our kuril dhagun Indigenous area within the State Library. Guests can enjoy the exhibition on display outside the room or the outdoor environment of the adjacent Talking Circle, with its outlook to the Brisbane River and city and the native water dragons who visit on occasion.
Area: 40m2 | view floorplan >
Capacity: 16 workshop |14 boardroom | 30 theatre
The Training Room is equipped with 25 Windows desktop computers for participants, a trainer’s computer, dual-screen projection and in-house audio system. This is a purpose-built computer-based training space, which is a rare find in the market place.
Capacity: 25 training style plus presenter
Function: computer-based training
The formal name for this classic venue is the Marica Sourris and James C. Sourris AM White Gloves Room, and the space provides a rare opportunity to hold your event in the main part of the Library itself. The room is traditionally used for ‘white glove’ viewings of heritage collection items and is now also available as a lovely meeting venue. The room has natural light and timber floors and features displayed collection items, creating a unique space for events.
Area: 98m2 | view floorplan >
Capacity: 25 workshop | 20 boardroom | 30 theatre
Function: workshops and meetings
*Please note this space does not permit food or beverage service within the room except for water. A catering area nearby will be allocated for your catering breaks.
This small informal area provides an excellent casual meeting venue or workgroup space. With natural light and river and city views, it offers an environment that will certainly stimulate the flow of creative thinking.
Area: 32m2 | view floorplan >
Capacity: 25 workshop | 40 theatre
An open plan and versatile design makes the Innovation Lab a practical, flexible working space. A light and airy room with river and city views, this venue inspires creativity and discussion, making it very popular for workshops.
Capacity: 42 workshop | 80 theatre
Offering 16 iMac computers and built-in audio-visual equipment, this is a purpose-built computer training venue. The Lab has almost everything you need to produce a professional, creative digital work. Software for video editing, graphic design, web development, games design, app development, audio editing and animation are all installed.
This space is available for event bookings before 12 noon daily.
Capacity: 16 computers plus facilitator | view floorplan >
With floor-to-ceiling windows and sweeping city and river views, the Edge Window Bays comfortably seat up to 12 people each. These petite spaces are perfectly suited for meetings, study groups, or small presentations and workshops of a more informal nature.
The Window Bays can only be booked outside of opening hours or in conjunction with another venue hire space; for example, as a break-out or display area for a conference in the Edge Auditorium.
Capacity: 12 seated per bay
Functions: workshops, meetings, study groups and small presentations
318m2
Start the next chapter of your life together at the home of Queensland’s greatest stories. Choose one of State Library of Queensland’s exquisite venues to tell your love story and celebrate your special day.
Set in the cultural heart of Brisbane in South Bank with breathtaking views of the city skyline and river, State Library offers a uniquely Queensland atmosphere that seamlessly brings the outdoors in. Our award-winning building houses a rich history that has inspired the lives of Queenslanders for close to 120 years. Let our story become a part of yours to make your wedding day unforgettable.
Our technical production team understands what it takes to make your event special and we offer a wide range of production services.
Visit the Library Shop to discover a uniquely Queensland retailer.
State Library has a selection of high quality, reputable caterers that have been nominated to meet the catering requirements of your event. Please contact us for more details.